Rose Lodge, Gateshead, United Kingdom

New learning disability centre completes

Therapy centre provides comfortable care

Rose Lodge treatment and assessment centre offers specialist services for people living in the north east of England.
The newly completed £6.1m centre was commissioned by Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust, under
ProCure21. Designed by MAAP the purpose built centre aims to provide a high quality, therapeutic
environment where dedicated services can operate to support adults with learning
disabilities and mental health problems in the Gateshead and South Tyneside area.

The building comprises 12 bedrooms for three different user groups: Acute Unit,
Enhanced Care and Supportive Care. The bed ratios between wards are 3:3:6 although
the inclusion of swing bedrooms allows some flexibility of admissions. The wards
surround a large external courtyard and the layout clearly identifies separation between
the three user groups but not isolation from each other. Activity and day spaces are
located between the wards to nurture interaction where appropriate, while space is
available for quiet contemplation, education and therapy rooms elsewhere. Dedicated
areas have been identified for female patients.

It is anticipated that the first users will occupy the building in October 2009. A public
open day was held on 27th August 2009 which was attended by over 400 local people.

Lianne Knotts, Associate at MAAPs Newcastle office said “The comments received from
visitors so far have been extremely positive. We feel that we have successfully
responded to the sensitive needs of the adults who will benefit from the facility by
designing a building that offers a therapeutic yet homely environment. We look forward
to the feedback from the first intake of users next month.”